From near death to Group 1 star: a genuine triumph against all odds

Against The Odds is an appropriate title for the award-winning documentary charting the career of Gordon Lord Byron. This story could easily have ended with the horse's very first race, when his life was saved by the insistent pleas of trainer Tom Hogan. A maiden winner at Dundalk in October 2011, he gained the first of three Group 1 wins 12 months later, and has won 16 races in all. He has recovered from injuries, fought off allergies and has taken his connections on an international odyssey. He has endeared himself to racing fans with his courage and zest for competition, and is still going strong at the age of nine.

Early days

Jessica Cahalan, co-owner I had a small budget when I went to the foal sale at Goffs in November 2008. The ones I had picked out of the catalogue all proved too expensive. To my untrained eye there was something about this Byron colt. I paid €2,000 for him. He was the first horse I bought.

Morgan Cahalan, co-owner We brought him home and broke him. The plan was to sell him as a yearling. We brought him to Goffs and there was no bid for him. We tried to get him into a breeze-up sale but none of the sales companies wanted to know. I suppose it was mainly because his sire was unfashionable. Jessica was Tom Hogan's secretary at the time, and Tom and I had been friends from a long way back. I reckoned he was the right man to train him.